The town was originally a railway siding along the Great Southern Railway line, built by the Western Australian Land Company, and opened in 1889. Later the same year the company designed the town and made land available. In 1896 the state government purchased the railway and the land and gazetted the townsite in 1898. Its name is Aboriginal in origin and is the name of the Pingeculling Rocks found to the north of the town. The name was first recorded in 1873, and the original settlers referred to the area as Pingegulley for years before the town was gazetted. In early 1898 the population of the town was 89, 52 males and 37 females, however this isn't accurate, as this does not include Aboriginal people. Tenders for the construction of the local agricultural hall were advertised in late 1893, the contract was awarded to Thorne, Bower and Stewart in early 1894. The hall was opened in September of the same year with a tamar hunt and a ball to mark the occasion. Between 1939 and 1941 three motor racing events were held annually in the town, using a circuit which went in a clockwise direction. The last event, won by Harley Hammond in his Marquette Special was the final motor sport event held in Western Australia before racing stopped due to World War 2.
Commercial area
The shire includes over 1,100 residents living both in town and on rural properties, and is a key agricultural centre, with wheat, barley, sheep and cattle farming being the main activities. Pingelly contains a primary school, Bendigo Bank, shopping facilities - IGA, chemist, post office, specialty shops, arts and craft shop, hospital auxiliary op shop, - accommodation, golf course, council offices and a telecentre are located within the town. A school bus ferries high school students to Narrogin. Each year two market days with a wide range of items are held in May and October. The Shire of Pingelly has built a new recreation and community centre as well as new aged appropriate accommodation. The town is a stop on the Transwa bus service from Perth to Albany. The Pingelly Health Service is part of the Upper Great Southern Health Services, and includes a 24/7medical centre facility as well as a general practitioner. Silver Chain offers home help, gardening, respite and other aged care services. Narrogin Regional Hospital remains the primary centre servicing the Upper Great Southern area.
